Poinsettias are the ultimate Christmas plants, so whether you pick one up as a tradition every year or you’re gifted one by a friend, there’s a good chance you’ll have one in your home for the holiday season. In this article, we’ll explain some of the history behind poinsettias, how to use plant saucers with poinsettia plants, and other important care tips.
The History of Poinsettias
Poinsettias are native to Mexico and come in many colors, though the bright red is one of the most popular choices for this time of year. Their name comes from the first U.S. ambassador to travel to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett. He came across the plant and sent it back home to grow for himself, which is how poinsettia plants got their name.
So, why are poinsettias such a big Christmas tradition? It comes from an old Mexican tale that goes like this:
There was a poor girl named Pepita who went to visit the baby Jesus, but was sad that she didn’t have a gift to offer him. Her cousin told her that even the smallest gift would make Jesus happy, just as long as it was gifted with love. So, Pepita gathered some weeds on the way to the nativity scene and fashioned them into a bouquet, which she offered as a gift to the baby Jesus. When placing her gift at the nativity, the bouquet burst into a bloom of red flowers in a Christmas miracle! This is why poinsettias are associated with Christmas.
How to Place Plant Saucers Inside the Decorative Wrapping for Your Poinsettia
Like any other potted plant you have in your home, poinsettias need plenty of drainage. In order to protect your home from the extra water, it’s important to use plant saucers for poinsettia plants. There are a few ways to go about this. One way is to poke drainage holes into the decorative wrapping and place the plant directly into the plant saucer.
However, our favorite thing to do is hide the plant saucers inside the wrappings. Here’s how:
- Take the poinsettia plant out of the decorative wrapping without damaging the wrapping
- Place the plant saucer in the bottom of the wrapping so it fits snugly
- Place the poinsettia pot back into the wrapping on top of the plant saucer
This way, you can water your plant as needed and provide proper drainage, while also making sure it’s all still wrapped in its decorative foil. Just remember to empty the plant saucer periodically to get rid of the excess water.
Care Tips for Poinsettia Plants
We also have several other care tips to help you keep your poinsettia plants healthy. In addition to using colored or clear plant saucers to help with drainage, here are some other tips we have for poinsettia plant care:
- Keep your poinsettia plants in warm areas
- Provide them with bright, indirect sunlight
- If your home is dry, use a humidifier or plant mister to keep it moist
Top Quality Plant Saucers and Floral Products from Curtis Wagner Plastics
Our team at Curtis Wagner is proud to provide high quality floral products for your needs. From Plant Saucers to Cork Plant Mats, you can trust our products to keep your home safe from water, soil, and other messes associated with house plants. Browse our catalogs online today and call us at (713) 937-3784 to place a wholesale order!